Making The Cut

Making The Cut

“So we do not focus on what is seen, but what is unseen, for what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal.” 2 Corinthians 4:18

“For we know that if our earthly house, a tent, is destroyed, we have a building from God, a house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens.” 2 Corinthians 5:1

Right now there are players all over the country trying out for different teams at various levels. Junior hockey players are either at a “final camp” or are entering a “training camp”. College hockey players are coming together on different campuses to begin the new season and school year. Professional players are in the final preparations before they head to different cities for training camps to find out if they will have a job in hockey this year. Nervous and anxious times for most players.

During these times players are competing against their peers, traveling from afar for the opportunity, and sometimes even literally fighting for a spot. It all comes down to trying to impress, catch the coaches eye or earn the coaches trust. There is absolutely nothing wrong with chasing your hockey dream, or any dream, whatever it may be. In fact, God wants that for us! However, what is in our hearts when we are pursuing our dreams is what matters.

The Lord wants you on his team! He even specifically planned for you to be a star player. Psalm 139:13 says, “For it was You who created my inward parts; you knit me together in my mother’s womb” and Ephesians 1:4, “For He chose us in Him, before the foundation of the world, to be holy and blameless in sight”. No travel, no fighting, no training camps, just the outstretched hand of God, the creator of heaven and earth, asking you to be a part of His team. If you’re not on Gods team, all you need to do is invite him into your heart, “If you confess with your mouth, “Jesus is Lord”, and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved.” Romans 10:9. And the great thing is, according to Ephesians 5:1, “He is our peace”, and you can be free to pursue your dreams with God by your side.

At the end of the day making a team and playing on that team will not last, in essence it is perishable. But the Lord has, “an inheritance that is imperishable, uncorrupted, and unfading, kept in heaven for you.” 1 Peter 4.

Discussion Questions

Are you fully prepared physically and mentally for your next hockey challenge?

Is your house built on Rock (The Lord) or sand (The World)? Read Matthew 7:24-27

How do you combat Anxiousness or Nervousness? Read Matthew 6:25-34

About the Author

Rylan lives in Sioux Falls, SD with his wife Ashley, 8-month old son Lawson, dog Maverick and cat Goose. He is the assistant coach of the Sioux Falls Stampede in the USHL. Originally from Calgary, Rylan has also been the Head Coach of the Southern Tier Xpress, an expansion junior team in Jamestown, NY and was the Head Coach of the Tier 1 AAA Sioux Falls Jr Stampede. As a player, he played junior hockey in the NAHL, college hockey at Division 1 Minnesota State, and played 4 years professionally in the AHL, ECHL and England.